NBA Invite Highlights Basketball Alumni News
October 8, 2014 | Men's Basketball
Highlighted by Boston University men's basketball alum John Holland ('11) joining the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs' training camp roster, several former Terriers have made moves in the professional ranks.
The 2011 America East Player of the Year graduated from BU after leading the Terriers to the 2011 NCAA tournament and becoming just the second player in America East history to have at least 2,000 points, 700 rebounds and 200 steals. He's been a contributing member of Puerto Rico's National Team for the last three years and spent last season playing for the BCM Gravelines in the French Pro A League.
Holland is now part of a 19-man training camp roster for the Spurs and is the second BU alum to currently have ties to the NBA. The other is former team MVP Brett Brown ('83), who is entering his second season as the head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers. Coincidentally, Brown was a member of the Spurs' staff from 2002-2013.
Three other members of the 2011 America East championship team are also continuing to play basketball. Previously selected in the 2012 NBDL Draft by the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, 2012 AE Player of the Year Darryl Partin ('12) recently signed with SISU Copenhagen in Denmark's top league.
Just the sixth Terrier in program history to reach 1,000 points and 700 rebounds, recent graduate Dom Morris ('14) signed with Maccabi Raanana in Israel. Jake O'Brien ('12) graduated from BU with over 1,000 points despite being hampered by injuries and is now on the Eisbaren-Bremerhaven roster in Germany after playing in the NBDL and Ukraine last year.
Recipient of the Mickey Cochrane Award in 2005 as BU's top-male athlete, Rashad Bell ('05) continues to excel overseas. Last season, he was named Asia-Basket.com All-Iraqi League Player of the Year, Import Player of the Year and Forward of the Year. Having previously played in Finland, France, Italy, South Korea and Hungary, he is currently a member of Al Jazeera in the United Arab Emirates.
Carlos Strong ('10) was a member of the 2011 Pan American gold medal team with Puerto Rico and continues to help the national team while also playing professionally in P.R. after previous stints in Sweden and the NBDL.
Forever remembered as the one who hit the half-court buzzer beater in the 2002 America East semifinals en route to the NCAAs, Stijn Dhondt ('02) continues to play in Belgium and remains a member of Waregem.
